UCL: Benitez Compares Ronaldo To Pele, Blanc Fears Real Star

Real Madrid coach Rafael Benítez has claimed that his star man Cristiano Ronaldo is as good as Brazilian great Pele, ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League match with Paris Saint Germain.

"Over the last few years they have won everything on the domestic front and proven they're the best team in France," Benitez told uefa.com.

"On top of that, they have bought some very good players, so we'll take up this challenge with a lot of enthusiasm. All the ingredients are there for a great match against a great team. This will be a game between equals.

"It's true we have several injured players, but we can count on Real Madrid's greatest goalscorer in European football (Ronaldo) and perhaps football history. He's up there with Pelé, maybe."

PSG Laurent Blanc is also full of praise for Ronaldo, insisting that his team will watch the Portuguese scoring maching closely.

"This match will be special and great for the prestige of our club: we're playing against one of Europe's greatest clubs," Blanc said.

"When you compare our squads, it's difficult to say it's equal. Just look at their trophy room: Madrid are a top team in Europe; Paris are not there yet.

"But we can win. Because we're at home, because we have quality, because we already beaten one of Europe's greatest – Barcelona. We need to respect our opponents but we can do it. It's not a decisive match, although winning our group is a very important objective – but it's not decisive yet.

"I love everything about Cristiano Ronaldo. Just look at his statistics: he's one of two extraterrestrials gracing modern football. He's good in all departments: he's fast, takes on defenders, scores goals. So yes, we'll have an eye on him. There will be no anti-Ronaldo plan, nothing specific – just to be vigilant at all times.

"Madrid seem happy to defend deep and launch counterattacks, because they have the players to do so: they fly like the wind! At times you think you're on the brink of scoring against them, and ten seconds later you concede. They are very efficient."